Inclusive Panel of Professionals - Leading the Way to Inclusive Histories

Stuart Culver, Ph.D., Kathleen Spencer Christy, Ph.D., Edmund Fong, Ph.D., Dr. William A. Smith, and Camden Alexander discuss with the general public "why inclusive histories matter" in our public education, in our healthcare system and in the world. Dr Culver, the dean of the college of humanities was the moderator and led the discussion by asking what is the appropriate way to address the issues of Critical Race Theory. Dr. Smith, the professor and chair for the department of education, culture and society discussed how our education system produces a climate of exclusion where young people of color do not feel like they have a sense of belonging, or that they cannot achieve their potential. He also discussed how there is a lot of confusion surrounding CRT and that makes it difficult for teachers to teach it. Dr. Smith used the term "racial battle fatigue" to help the audience understand that these students are not able to learn effectively when they are struggling from high levels of stress, lack of positive identity, and instability at home; essentially they feel unsafe and cannot learn. Doctor Christy then addressed the audience on the importance of having the courage to teach CRT and how Utah schools will not allow the teaching of CRT. She admonished the state and described how learning gives us opportunities to become leaders and future leader who will enact change. Edmund Fong, the associate professor and chair in the division of ethnic studies, emphasized the CRT moral panic is not really about CRT but that it is about the work on systemic racism. His comments tied into what we had been reading in the book "Caste" by Isabelle Wilkerson and how it is systemic racism that perpetuates the fear of our past. The pushback of CRT in schools is an attempt to push back against the ongoing systemic racism or an attempt to "chill" the conversation and make it go away. His words were a direct assault on "American exceptionalism" the idea that America is founded upon divine authority and our history is one of profound exceptionalism. Fong stated that there is much that needs to be achieved now in order to create a better community where everyone feels safe. In the article "our new post racial myth" by Dr. Ibram Kendi, he discussed many of these same points on how it is systemic racism that is driving our systemic issues. Racism, not race is what causes these problems and many people are not willing to face up to that issue. During the discussion Camden Alexander, an opinion writer for the Utah Chronicle, made note that she has to work harder and be more articulate than her white counterparts; she also stated that it hurts that schools do not teach children CRT because she did not understand what racism truly was but still had to experience it on a daily basis without understanding the disparity. "It is not fun for a person of color to live in this world," that quote by Alexander will definitely stay with me.

There are so many connections that I can see between this lecture and individual experiences I have had with my friendship circle and the young adults who attend; I have had multiple discussions about race and how being not only a minority but also the intersectionality of being queer has led to so many difficult experiences in their lives. I just sit and wonder upon the cruelty that these young people must endure. I am queer, but I will never know the injustice of being black in a society that has made the color of its population's skin so meaningful. It reminds me of the article "Why are more black children dying by suicide?" from the NYT; mental health and the ability to withstand the racial battle fatigue are not easy ideas to tackle. I want to figure out how to make the lives of young people easier and I think that teaching about history and inclusive history is going to be the key. It may not take away the pain but I believe it will be the beginning to making amends and helping these youth find some understanding and maybe it will help the future generations to make the systemic changes that need to be made.